Canadian Special Edition of the Bandit 1250

[Canuck]

Suzuki has just announced a Canadian Special Edition of the Bandit 1250 with ABS. It comes with fairing lowers and hard bags as standard at $11,999 MSRP compared to $10,799 for the regular Bandit with ABS. There's also an optional tail trunk. This looks like a sweet ST package for a nice low price. One of my minor concerns about the Bandit for trips was lack of weather protection, but the fairing lowers should help a lot.

See it here http://www.cmgonline.com/magazine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=147&Itemid=80

[alphabet man]

Hey I like that   brings back memories of my old FJ but much more sophiticated, I think it will be a hit. As much as I like the FJR/ST1300 and concours for ME they are to much money for a motorcycle which, as much as I hate to admit it, it is still a toy even though it does serve a practical purpose for me during the summer months, just my $.02
David

[Leanintree]

I'd hit it.

leanintree

[veefer800canuck]

Rifled through the page source code and stole this image, posted to imageshack for all y'all:

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/449/bandit1250serhsab1.jpg

[GooseMan]

Not bad! I wonder what the street price for these would be. I see a local dealer here selling B1250 ABS' for $7800 CAD, which is a steal!

[Lazarus]

Not bad! I wonder what the street price for these would be. I see a local dealer here selling B1250 ABS' for $7800 CAD, which is a steal!

Hmmm... At prices like that it looks as if Suzuki might be stepping in to fill the 'budget ST' niche recently vacated by Kawi with the retirement of the original Concours.  It would make a lot of sense for them to use Canada as a testing ground for the larger U.S. market.

[bubba zanetti]

Hmmm... At prices like that it looks as if Suzuki might be stepping in to fill the 'budget ST' niche recently vacated by Kawi with the retirement of the original Concours.  It would make a lot of sense for them to use Canada as a testing ground for the larger U.S. market.

I think you nailed it Mike that is exactly what this is about. Looks like a well priced and versatile bike.  Oh but what about the drain plug ??      

[zc1]

I had just seen it on CMG Online and was coming here to post it, only to find the thread already existing.  You move fast!

I really like this version of the Bandit 1250.  It actually puts the Bandit back on my short list!  I had an '02 Bandit 1200S with a Givi top case and touring screen on it.  Rode it for 3 years and couldn't get enough of it.  This new special edition sounds great.  It should slot in right between the Sprint ST and VFR800 on the one end of the sport-touring spectrum and the Concours 14 and FJR on the other end (now that they all have available OEM fairings and hard bags).  I'm really excited about this one.  I wasn't crazy about the styling of these new Bandits but it has been growing on me.  The lower fairings make a huge difference (for the better, IMO) and hopefully they're reasonably functional as well.

[zc1]

The price is also very good:

-Bandit 1250 SE: $12,000 ($11000 if purchased before Dec. 31)
-Sprint ST: $14,000 (includes bags)
-FZ1 TE: $15,000
-VFR800: $16,000 (includes bags)
-FJR: $19,100
-Concours 14: $19,100
-ST1300: $19,700

Each price is for the ABS model and is given in Canadian dollars.

[Against The Wind]

That is one sharp looking machine.  

[Frantik1]

Canada, shmanada. How do you guys rate?? If that sucker ever comes to the U.S., it may just be the replacement for my busa that my lumbar discs have been asking for.

[Lazarus]

I think you nailed it Mike that is exactly what this is about. Looks like a well priced and versatile bike.  Oh but what about the drain plug ??      

I don't know? Does it have one drain plug or two?  See, my Connie had two so that if I lose one I have a backup!  Or something like that...  

[highside]

Maybe the improved performance of the Canadian economy means that you guys are going to start seeing more bikes specifically tailored to your market. Your dollars are more worth fighting for now.

[mikebr]

Like it...could see myself on one of those.

[Mike-H]

Bike Show in Hog Town Dec 7-9 2007, you can see it there.... ....

[Canuck]

The price is also very good:

-Bandit 1250 SE: $12,000 ($11000 if purchased before Dec. 31)
-Sprint ST: $14,000 (includes bags)
-FZ1 TE: $15,000
-VFR800: $16,000 (includes bags)
-FJR: $19,100
-Concours 14: $19,100
-ST1300: $19,700

Each price is for the ABS model and is given in Canadian dollars.

I'm in Edmonton for the weekend, so stopped in at Alberta Cycle. They said they could give me a Bandit SE for $11,350 if I ordered now, plus some incentive choices Suzuki has right now (financing specials, extended warranty or 500 Suzuki bucks--maybe use for the top box). I'm curious where you got the price of $11,000 if ordering before Dec 31. I think I am going to buy a Bandit SE. I'd ordered a V-Strom 650 for 08 and put $500 down, but my dealer tells me I can switch it if I want.

[zc1]

Check out Blackfoot Motorsports in Calgary (http://www.blackfootmotorsports.com/promo_suzuki_sportbikes.htm).  They (almost) always have the lowest prices, even after freight and PDI, and seem to be the most willing to move on pricing in order to make the deal.  Best bet is to call (that's what I did), but you can see it at the very bottom of the page that comes up on the link that I posted.  It'll be interesting to see what happens to bike prices in the months to come.  Although, as you can see in the price comparison that I posted, this bike is a great deal compared to the other sport-touring bikes available on the Canadian market, it's still costs far more than the American version ($9700 CDN there vs $12000 CDN here).  I still don't think that the arguments that are being made to explain this completely explain the price differences.  Hopefully our dollar stays strong and we start to see some significant price adjustments for the 2009 model year.

[Nitro]

Nice..I nearly bought me a 07,as in the price range I wanted to spend for a new bike.instead I bought the camel..oh well...I did like the 1250 tho, but missed the fairing..this would get me looking again..except I sure would hope they put paint on one of them this yr..No fan of primer or black..


seriously..any info out there on colours for next yr??  specially this one?



Only real beef i had was the seat was brutal, even worse than my dl,  but thats fixable.

I better go see my dealer and get the out the door price around here.

Thanks for the  news..

[Canuck]

Nice..I nearly bought me a 07,as in the price range I wanted to spend for a new bike.instead I bought the camel..oh well...I did like the 1250 tho, but missed the fairing..this would get me looking again..except I sure would hope they put paint on one of them this yr..No fan of primer or black..


seriously..any info out there on colours for next yr??  specially this one?



Only real beef i had was the seat was brutal, even worse than my dl,  but thats fixable.

I better go see my dealer and get the out the door price around here.

Thanks for the  news..

They've told me the 08 colour choices are black or grey, but that they can't get any until probably January. That was Alberta Cycle in Edmonton. Grey can be almost anything, but the picture posted above must be it.

[Nitro]

i SEE YAMMY HAS A NEW ONE ALSO, THE FZ1000 TE  SAme deal. comes with bags, lowers, bigger shield..Dealer told me today..so another model thats on my list for next summer...will be interersted in the $$...

[Mac]

I don't know if this is actually the fz1000TE or one with the yammy goodies on it, but dam it looks good.






Nope it wasn't, but this is the Canadian 08

[Jeff N]

Mmm, not a fan of those lowers. They look a bit cobbled together and not in line with the rest of the bodywork, but those bags look good.

[Nitro]

cool.!!.I liked my rides on the  standard fz1 more than the bandit,but that was solo.  I see from the Ca. website its also 3000$ more than the bandit..methinks the bandit might be more comfy for the passenger(which is only reason i am looking at  these) but the yammy comes in colour (red)!!! (not to mention the  added hp)    but 3000$? i cant see it...

 Will see at the bike show..

[Canuck]

cool.!!.I liked my rides on the  standard fz100more than the bandit,, but I see from the Ca. website its also 3000$ more than the bandit..methinks the bandit might be more comfy for the passenger(which is only reason i am looking at  these) but the yammy comes in colour (red)!!! (not to mention the  added hp) but 3000$?

 Will see at the bike show..

Yeah, I was looking at the Yam seat too. It doesn't look too comfortable for a passenger at all. The Yam may have HP, but the Bandit has loads of torque and it hits near maximum torque of 75-80 lb-ft at about 3500 rpm. That's real world riding and very usable power. In sixth gear it will be at about 3400 rpm at 100 kph, so you've got almost full passing power without even downshifting. I guess it really depends on what the rider is looking for. Both seem like great bikes.

[bubba zanetti]

Yep, both are very interesting bikes and I like the fact that both manufacturers have done some research and are testing the waters. The Bandit would get more of my interest as that is one sweet motor. Be interesting to see these at the Calgary Bike show.

[Baz]

This is not really a special edition Bandit. The parts are all after market (Givi Bags and I don't recall who makes the fairing) but all can be ordered through the dealer as with the Yamaha. They had one of these on display at the Edmonton bike show in Jan.

I think that it would make a very sweet budget touring bike. (As you can tell I miss my Bandit )

They had one of these at my dealer. As much as I have tried I can't fall in love with the FZ 1.

[Canuck]

The parts may be made by other suppliers like Givi, but they are OEM. You can find them all on the Suzuki US site. There's nothing on the crappy Suzuki Canada site, which is still showing the 07 models. And it is correct too that you could buy all these parts from Suzuki before, but extra $1,000 to get the hard bags and fairing lowers is less than what they cost if you buy the items separately.

I actually emailed Suzuki the other day to complain about how bad their site is and got back a "thank you very much for you comment" email.

[zc1]

This is not really a special edition Bandit.

I understand what you're saying, but Suzuki Canada calls it a special edition bike, though -- "Suzuki Canada has just announced a Bandit 1250 variant - the Canadian Special Edition."

[zc1]

FZ1 TE from the Yamaha Canada Website:

[Baz]

The parts may be made by other suppliers like Givi, but they are OEM. You can find them all on the Suzuki US site. There's nothing on the crappy Suzuki Canada site, which is still showing the 07 models. And it is correct too that you could buy all these parts from Suzuki before, but extra $1,000 to get the hard bags and fairing lowers is less than what they cost if you buy the items separately.

I actually emailed Suzuki the other day to complain about how bad their site is and got back a "thank you very much for you comment" email.

You have to love how they justify raping your wallet with the "special edition" models. All of them are good at it!  

The FZ-1 with all the toys is almost the price of an FJR. If my failing memory serves me correct, the bike that is pictured here was only about 500 bucks less than my FJR. (This was my negotiated price & not MSP)

[Spectreman]

Suzuki has just announced a Canadian Special Edition of the Bandit 1250 with ABS. It comes with fairing lowers and hard bags as standard at $11,999 MSRP compared to $10,799 for the regular Bandit with ABS. There's also an optional tail trunk. This looks like a sweet ST package for a nice low price. One of my minor concerns about the Bandit for trips was lack of weather protection, but the fairing lowers should help a lot.

See it here http://www.cmgonline.com/magazine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=147&Itemid=80

Yeah, see that's what I'm talking about! Thanks for posting that as I was unaware. I even like the color.  They just need to add in the taller windscreen, some type of more touring oriented seat, some electrical accesory hook ups and some type of cruise control- BINGO- dirt cheap, ultra-reliable, lightweight, powerful ST, Suzuki style, not some bloated, over 500 lb. 130 HP "sport" tourer that nobody really needs  for $13+ g's.
Lee

[Nitro]

both could be nice bikes for the price..I just like the idea of pitching the bags and having a normal bike  when im not going far..the suzuk looks to be good for the $. The fz I like cause it aint a fjr, and the bags can come off, along with that goofy windshield and zzom zoom...so far both on the list  ..

[Thunderbox]

I wonder why Yamaha has bothered putting bags on this bike at all.  Looking at the seat you would be hard pressed to go any distance without having your ass fall off.  Not bad except that seat is just a waste of a bike.

[Baz]

I wonder why Yamaha has bothered putting bags on this bike at all.  Looking at the seat you would be hard pressed to go any distance without having your ass fall off.  Not bad except that seat is just a waste of a bike.

You are very right. It would not make a very good two up bike, and like I said earlier, the price I was quoted was not that much less than I paid for my FJR new. If you sit on both bikes, I would guarantee you will pick the Bandit for comfort.

I can go two up on the FJR for 16 hours. I would give myself about 2 hours on the FZ-1. Another thing to is, I bet you would be close to maximum weight on the FZ-1 with even a change of clothes.

NITRO...

I can tell you that coming off a Bandit, there is just no comparison between it & the FJR for long distance touring. (not even close) But, you pay for the comfort. I miss the Bandit at times, but pop the bags off the FJR and it becomes pretty flickable. It will run with the Bandit.

The Bandit is a great all around bike (I would buy another). Most of my riding is highway and I really would not trade back to a Bandit for the riding I do. I find I have every bit as much fun on the FJR compared to the Bandit, but on the highway, it's like comparing a Lexus to a 63 Chevy. Especially if you have a passenger.